Microfluidic titration apparatus

Abstract

The illustrated invention defines an analytical titration chip comprising an optically transparent substrate such as glass or plastic that defines a fluid inlet port, plural microfluidic sample carrying channels communicating with the inlet, and plural titration chambers fluidly communicating with the channels. Each titration chamber contains a different concentration of the same titrant to define a spectrum or range of titrations. An air management chamber is in fluid communication with the titration chambers to facilitate capillary flow of fluid into the titration chambers.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] This invention relates to apparatus for titrating fluid samples and more specifically, to an analysis chip having microfluidic sample handling channels and associated titration chambers for performing titration analysis of the sample. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Titration is a commonly used chemical analytical procedure that is typically used to determine, for example, the concentration of a desired compound in a sample. There are of course many different procedures and techniques used to perform titration analyses. Nonetheless, stated simply, most titration methods involve the addition of measured increments of a standard solution (the “titrant”) to a sample solution to determine the stoichiometric equivalent point between the titrant and the sample. The titrant includes a known concentration of a compound that reacts with the sample in a known manner. The titrant may also include an indicator compound such as a dye that reacts when the compound in the...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

It will be appreciated that the foregoing titration procedure is time consuming and therefore expensive, relatively complex, and prone to error.

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